@athelstone
Active 1 day, 11 hours ago-
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition: June 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 1 month ago
Midsummer Magic
Frankie wiggles his shoulders in a figure of eight and exhales. He flicks his hat back and mops his brow with a handkerchief. Then he loosens his tie another quarter inch and Matzo slaps his hand down on the table, making all three of us jump.
“For Christ’s sake, Frankie. Yeah – it’s hot. I’m hot. Eddie’s hot. It’s the longest…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 2 months ago
Well, many happy returns. Definitely a landmark – positively biblical.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 2 months ago
Nothing of such significance happened on my birthday, unless you count the assault on my writing with the gift of a Nintendo Switch and a pile of games. In fact, I’d forgotten it even was my birthday and I was busy making plans to do things around the house until my daughter pointed out that Mrs Ath had invited the in-laws round for afternoon fizz…[Read more]
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Not quite as thought-provoking, I contend, as the birthday I had a month ago. I have reached my three-score-and-ten, and am now officially An Old Man.
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Well, many happy returns. Definitely a landmark – positively biblical.
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Athelstone posted an update 6 years, 2 months ago
Disaster has struck. Mrs Athelstone has confirmed that she will still buy me a valentine, wish me a Happy Birthday, and give me a bottle of wine. BUT, she bought me a Nintendo Switch with some games and my daughter added even more games. I may never write again!
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:O
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I had that particular birthday on the day my daughter got married in Scotland. The attending piper was prevailed upon to play a certain tune…
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Nothing of such significance happened on my birthday, unless you count the assault on my writing with the gift of a Nintendo Switch and a pile of games. In fact, I’d forgotten it even was my birthday and I was busy making plans to do things around the house until my daughter pointed out that Mrs Ath had invited the in-laws round for afternoon fizz…[Read more]
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Not quite as thought-provoking, I contend, as the birthday I had a month ago. I have reached my three-score-and-ten, and am now officially An Old Man.
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Well, many happy returns. Definitely a landmark – positively biblical.
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😦
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 2 months ago
Sometimes an unusual word like pleonasm is a necessary reminder not to go on adding words endlessly without stopping simply to make the meaning clearer for the sake of epexegesis.
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Indeed. Something those who adhere over-strictly to the rules are inclined to overlook.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Where to start? in the forum
A place for Stupid Questoins 6 years, 2 months agoShowing and telling is a tricky one and there are many situations where telling something is 100% right and others where showing is 100% right. The reverse is also true.
Jake was acting suspiciously when I met him at the cafe. He looked cagey and only told me about Jane when he was sure nobody else could hear him.
Jake sidled through the cafe…[Read more]
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Athelstone joined the group
A place for Stupid Questions 6 years, 2 months ago -
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Athelstone replied to the topic That old enemy, Perfectionism in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 6 years, 2 months ago
Am I allowed to agree with all of you? When a writer like Stephen King just says something and it works, it’s because he is utterly confident with his voice. I’m not his biggest fan, but I have read a lot of his work and I do appreciate the extraordinary flow of his prose. I’m willing to bet he’s not on the heavy side when he edits.
I’m terrible.…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted an update 6 years, 2 months ago
Brilliant “webinar” by @philippaeast tonight. Really interesting insight into the her road to publication. Certainly had me thinking about what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Fantasy Anthology in the forum Podium 6 years, 2 months ago
Huzzah, Kate! I shall keep my eyes open for it.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Tilda and the Mines of Pergatt in the forum Podium 6 years, 2 months ago
I’m SOOOOO late in saying a huge “WELL DONE”. I’ve bought the Kindle edition and hopefully I can get a signed paperback in future – even if I have to wait until York next year.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 2 months ago
@katemachon you could do worse than start with ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ which is a full novel but at 27,000 words, definitely more novella length as things are reckoned these days – and a short(ish) one at that.
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Thanks, Ath. I’ll give it a try.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 2 months ago
And a great supporter of adjectives and adverbs!
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I’ve only ever read one book by Hemingway, and I don’t know why that is because that one book is a cracker – ‘The Old Man and the Sea.’ I know of no other book that conveys so much in such a simple tale, told in such simple language. It won him the Nobel Prize, and quite right too.
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It’s been on my tbr for years, Richard. I must bump it up the pile!
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I read that, too, and came away dazzled. Strangely, that was the only one of his novels I read. I’ve read most of his short stories, and have them on my Kindle.
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My copy of ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ is an old book club edition that used to belong to my parents and is nearly as old as I am. The story is brought to even more vivid life by drawings by two artists specially commissioned for that edition – a note at the front explains that they were supposed to be alternatives but were so good the publishers…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 2 months ago
It is great news. And those of us subscribed to Jericho Writers Online Festival can see Philippa talking about her road to publication on 10 June
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Hello everyone, this is my first post as a new member and it is fitting seeing as I learned of the Den through that Webinar with Philippa East at the Jericho Festival. I was inspired by the journey she described and it has been the best event I have attended so far.
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Welcome to the Den, Andrew.
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Athelstone started the topic Sorry not sorry in the forum Blogs 6 years, 2 months ago
This link is to a marvellous but heart-breaking blog by our very own @KazG. Maybe wait a bit before reading if your blood pressure is high right now.
Linked with permission.
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Unbelievable! Well done Kaz for highlighting this.
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It IS unbelievable 🙁 Thanks Kate.
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And also Ath, for sharing it.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Richard's Literary Byways: Arthur Machen and the Angels of Mons in the forum Blogs 6 years, 3 months ago
Excellent blog, Richard. I fear my “to be read” list has acquired some new items.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 3 months ago
Never been green – although it suffered a great deal of henna back in the 70s. These days I’m approaching the age where hair-loss is expected, if Paul McCartney is to be believed, so maybe a rug is on the cards. Or my head.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly comp – April 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
Loved the entries this time round. Very well done Libby. Raine, great topic. Came so close to telling you about my green rug, but it wasn’t to be.
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Can’t imagine you with green hair, Ath.
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Never been green – although it suffered a great deal of henna back in the 70s. These days I’m approaching the age where hair-loss is expected, if Paul McCartney is to be believed, so maybe a rug is on the cards. Or my head.
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